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MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 8:54am | IP Logged
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Quote:
Vatican City, Dec 5, 2007 / 10:51 am (CNA).- This year marks the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France. On the occasion of the celebrations, Pope Benedict XVI has extended the opportunity for the faithful to receive a plenary or full indulgence.
According to a decree made public today and signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv., respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Benedict XVI will grant the faithful Plenary Indulgence for the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes.
"The forthcoming 150th anniversary of the day in which Mary Most Holy, revealing herself as the Immaculate Conception to Bernadette Soubirous, wished a shrine to be erected and venerated in the place known as 'Massabielle' in the town of Lourdes," the decree reads, "calls to mind the innumerable series of prodigies through which the supernatural life of souls and the health of bodies has drawn great advantage from the omnipotent goodness of God."
The faithful who venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary in the place 'upon which her feet trod,' draw nourishment from the Holy Sacraments, express the firm intention to lead future Christian lives of increasing faithfulness" are able to "achieve a vivid perception of the significance of the Church,” the prelates note.
The connection between Mary and the church is also evident in the events of Lourdes. In the year 1854 the Church declared that Mary was conceived without sin, which is known as the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Only four years later, when the apparitions of Mary to St. Bernadette took place “Mary Most Holy showed herself to ... Bernadette Soubirous using the words of the dogmatic definition: 'I am the Immaculate Conception,’” the decree explains.
"In order to draw increased fruits of renewed sanctity from this holy anniversary," the decree explaisn, "the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has decided to concede the gift of Plenary Indulgence" to the faithful under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Holy Father), in the following ways:
The first way to obtain the indulgence is to visit the following places in Lourdes between December 8, 2007 and December 8, 2008, preferably in the order suggested: (1) the parish baptistery used for the Baptism of Bernadette, (2) the Soubirous family home, known as the 'cachot,' (3) the Grotto of Massabielle, (4) the chapel of the hospice where Bernadette received First Communion, and on each occasion they pause for an appropriate length of time in prayer and with pious meditations, concluding with the recital of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith, ... and the jubilee prayer or other Marian invocation."
If the faithful are not in Lourdes, but wish to receive the plenary indulgence, then during the week of the anniversary of the first apparition, which is the week of February 2, 2008 through February 11, 2008, they may visit “in any church, grotto or decorous place, the blessed image of that same Virgin of Lourdes, solemnly exposed for public veneration, and before the image participate in a pious exercise of Marian devotion, or at least pause for an appropriate space of time in prayer and with pious meditations, concluding with the recital of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith,... and the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
There is also a provision for those who are unable to fulfill the previous two ways of obtaining the indulgence. Those who "through sickness, old age or other legitimate reason are unable to leave their homes, may still obtain the Plenary Indulgence ... if, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the usual three conditions, on the days February 2 to 11, 2008, in their hearts they spiritually visit the above-mentioned places and recite those prayers, trustingly offering to God, through Mary, the sickness and discomforts of their lives." |
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Our diocese has planned some specific events during that week (Feb. 2-11) at local churches where her image is or have relics associated with Lourdes. I hope to be able to attend one of the Masses. We will also be focusing on Our Lady of Lourdes during our monthly Liturgical Story Time - I think making OLoL grottos. The Lourdes Marian Center is here as well. They are one of the 2 distributors of Lourdes water in the US. We will be visiting there as well.
What do you have planned? Are there sites in your area where an image of OL of Lourdes is solemnly displayed that you can visit? What are your favorite OL of Lourdes or St. Bernadette resources?
Friends of Lourdes Jubilee - USA
Apostolic Penitentiary Decree for Lourdes Jubilee
Official Lourdes Jubilee Website
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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momwats8 Forum All-Star
Joined: July 20 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 9:32am | IP Logged
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Well....I am very excited about this jubilee for many reasons. We are talking about it quite a bit here as my dh and I are going to France for a week in June compliments of my in-laws. Actually it is our Christmas gift. They are paying for all the adults in the family to go so it is my dh and I and all of his siblings and their spouses. We go to Lourdes for a couple of days to celebrate the jubilee and then spend the last 4 days exploring Paris - going to the Louvre, Notre Dame etc
We have been researching the jubilee and I need to practice my very rusty French - I took it in high school and college.
When I am there I will be taking all of your intentions with me
__________________ Mary- Wife to Mike and Mother to Austin(92), Mikey(95), R.J.(97), Benedict(98), Kolbe(00), Ignatius(02), Christian(03), Margaret(05),&4 angels in heaven
http://www.momwats8.blogspot.com
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chicken lady Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 9:59am | IP Logged
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HOw exciting Mary. When you go please pray for me, I love Lourdes. I had my most profound spiritual experience there.
Have you been before?
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momwats8 Forum All-Star
Joined: July 20 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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I have never been to France at all. I cried when we received our gift!! I am just so humbled an excited. I will definitely pray for everyone.
I was thinking that right before we go I will have everyone post their intentions. I will take them with me and place them at the Feet of Mary...
__________________ Mary- Wife to Mike and Mother to Austin(92), Mikey(95), R.J.(97), Benedict(98), Kolbe(00), Ignatius(02), Christian(03), Margaret(05),&4 angels in heaven
http://www.momwats8.blogspot.com
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Mary G Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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Lourdes is an amazing place! I remember putting Maggie (than 4 or 5 months old) in the baths and she didn't cry at all (and she didn't like baths back then! ).
I guess finances are such that a field trip to France is out for our family ... , but we're in the same diocese as MaryM so we'll participate in those things as well as have lots of French food and maybe even do a miniunit on parts of France other than Paris!
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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SusanJ Forum All-Star
Joined: May 25 2007 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 1:14pm | IP Logged
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Our family is going up to Emmitsburg next Sunday to the Lourdes replica there. That's my favorite Lourdes reproduction and its nice to get out of the city sometimes.
We spent part of our honeymoon in Lourdes. So glad you will be able to go, Mary!
Susan
__________________ Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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MarilynW Forum All-Star
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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I had a year of college in Pau which is a half hour from Lourdes - and dh and I went to Lourdes too. We are planning to go to Emmitsburg too in the next few weeks - our Jan trip was not possible.
__________________ Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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chicken lady Forum All-Star
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Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 9:35am | IP Logged
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We went to the National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, we lit a candle for all the intentions of these boards.
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 6:08pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Molly!
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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SeaStar Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
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Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 7:14pm | IP Logged
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Thank you- so thoughtful!
__________________ Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Donna Marie Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 7:40pm | IP Logged
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Molly, that is so thoughtful! Thank you soooo much!!
{{{{HUGS}}}}
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc
__________________ God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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